Americans Respond To News That A Special Counsel Has Been Appointed To Russia Investigation

It went over well.

Political commentators on both sides of the aisle celebrated after the Justice Department announced a special counsel in the probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election and the possible coordination between Russia and President Trump's administration.

The news came after Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who was credited for suggesting the firing of former FBI Director James Comey, announced the Justice Department's decision. Former FBI director Robert Mueller has been tapped to serve as special counsel.

"In my capacity as acting attorney general I determined that it is in the public interest for me to exercise my authority and appoint a special counsel to assume responsibility for this matter,'' Rosenstein said in a statement. "My decision is not a finding that crimes have been committed or that any prosecution is warranted. I have made no such determination. What I have determined is that based upon the unique circumstances, the public interest requires me to place this investigation under the authority of a person who exercises a degree of independence from the normal chain of command.''

With news of the announcement, political pundits, politicians and members of the intelligence community on both sides of the aisle cheered. Although it's early yet, Mueller seems to have bipartisan support.

It's no surprise that the announcement is being met with widespread support. After all, despite protest from the White House, a recent NBC/Wall Street Journal poll found that close to 80 percent of Americans want a special prosecutor in the Russian probe.